The Climate Change Act makes the UK the first country in the world to set legally binding targets for the reduction of carbon emissions.

The Climate Change Levy is a tax on the use of fossil fuels in the non-domestic sector and forms a key part of the UK Government’s Climate Change programme. Energy from renewables and approved Combined Heat and Power schemes is exempt from the Levy.

Hertfordshire’s forecast population growth over the 25 years from 2012 to 2037 is 272,000 a percentage increase of 24 (ONS 2014). That means electricity and gas consumption are also set to increase, making renewable energy generation more important.

Hertfordshire County Council and several local authorities purchase green electricity from renewable sources for their public buildings. The use of Combined Heat and Power generation is reducing the county’s CO2 emissions. An example is the Letchworth Leisure Centre in North Hertfordshire.

Turning electrical equipment off at the mains rather than using the standby mode makes a difference - 8% of household energy is used by appliances on standby.

Turning down the thermostat by 1C can save 10% of a household energy bill whilst not negatively affecting the comfort of occupants.

The energy consumed each year by UK commerce and industry releases about 60 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere.

The Climate Change Act aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions through domestic and international action to 26-32% below 1990 levels by 2020, and at least 60% by 2050.

In 2015, the UK has 16 Nuclear reactors generating around 18% of its electricity. All but one of these are expected to be retired by 2023. The first reactor to close will be Wylfa 1 in December 2015 when the fuel runs out. (world-nuclear.org)